Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85834 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 429(@200wpm)___ 343(@250wpm)___ 286(@300wpm)
He instantly notices, and lifting his arm, he wraps it around my shoulders, turning his body to block out everyone else.
Dropping his voice to a whisper, he says, “Shh…I won’t let anything happen to you.” He pulls me closer into a hug, and I’m filled with so much desperation and fear, I clutch his shirt in my fist and beg, “Please. I’ll do anything you want. Anything. Just don’t let them kill me. Don’t let them hurt Simi.”
“Hey…” He takes hold of my chin and nudges my face up so we can make eye contact. “Don’t worry about shit like that. You are safe, Nina. I swear to all that’s holy, you and Simi are safe with me.”
I give him a pleading look, as I continue to clutch his shirt, then he leans into me and presses his forehead to mine.
“Deep breaths. You’re going to hyperventilate. There’s nothing to fear. I’m right here, and with the shackles gone, I can and will protect you.” He rubs one of his large hands up and down my arm and over my back. “Just take a deep breath for me.”
The panic retreats enough for me to listen, and getting air into my lungs, I calm down until I become aware of my surroundings again.
A pleased smile tugs at Georgi’s lips, then he gives me a hug before pulling back and letting go of me.
“You should drink some tea.” Raya comes closer, holding a cup out to me.
When I take it from her, she sits down beside Simi, who’s looking at me with knitted eyebrows and her bottom lip jutting out.
“Mama’s okay, milo moe. I was just feeling sick again.”
Raya leans closer to Simi and grins at her. “Show me what you’re drawing?”
Simi looks at her, then bluntly asks, “Who are you?”
“I’m Raya, Georgi’s sister.”
My child’s eyes widen. “Are you also a princess? Like me?”
Raya lets out a chuckle. “Yes.”
“Can you also fly like Georgi?”
Not understanding, she shakes her head and gives her brother a questioning look.
In English, Georgi explains, “I jumped after her when a fucker dropped her over a banister on the third floor.”
“What?” Raya gasps. “That’s insane! I hope you killed him.”
“Nina shot him.”
Raya turns her attention back to my daughter. “No, I can’t fly like Georgi. He’s much stronger than me.”
“He’s stronger than everyone,” Simi says in a very serious tone. “He’s my prince, and he’s taking me to his castle. He said so.” She looks at Georgi. “Right? Tell her.”
“Yes, I’m taking you to my castle. It’s high up in the sky.”
“Really?”
Simi wiggles out from under her seat belt, climbs off her seat and comes to Georgi, then proceeds to try to climb onto his lap.
I think because he saved her from falling, he’s her hero, and I don’t have the heart to tell her otherwise.
Georgi lifts her, and when she’s comfortable, she leans against his chest and begins to rub his shirt between her fingers.
“I feel sick. Like Mama,” she mumbles.
I lean over Georgi and rub her back, giving her a worried look. “Do you feel like you’re going to vomit?”
She shakes her head. “No, I feel the scared kind of sick. I want a hug too.”
My heart.
Georgi doesn’t hesitate and wraps my daughter up in a hug while dropping kisses on her hair. “You’re safe now, malkata mi printsesa. There will be no more monsters. I’ll protect you from them.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
As I stare at Simi looking for comfort in Georgi’s arms, I realize I will do anything the man asks of me if he continues to treat her with such kindness.
Georgi glances at me, and I don’t know what he sees, but he moves his right hand and covers both of mine, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Drink your tea, mishle.”
“Mama’s not a little mouse,” Simi says, before laughing.
“You’re right.” Georgi chuckles with her. “What should I call her?”
“Hmm…” Simi thinks for a moment, then grins up at Georgi. “I’m your little princess, and Mama is your princess.”
I swear you can hear a pin drop in the cabin following Simi’s words.
Feeling like this situation is getting away from me, I reach for her, but Georgi shakes his head at me, then turns his attention back to her. “You’re right. I’ll remember that.”
Simi gets comfortable against his chest while I remain tense beside them.
Maybe I should stop these interactions between them. It will break Simi if Georgi doesn’t keep his promises. She’s already suffered too much.
“Relax,” Georgi suddenly says to me. “Sit back and try to get some rest. You’re exhausted and only dozed off for ten minutes earlier.” When I don’t respond, he adds, “We’re in the air, Nina. Simi won’t go anywhere. Get some sleep.”
I glance over the other men, and when my gaze falls on Raya, she smiles. “If Simi needs anything, I’ll help.”
I’ve only known Georgi for five days, and Raya is a complete stranger.